IRD Joins Other Advocates in Open Letter to President Obama on Sudan

December 17, 2009

At a White House demonstration last year, a Sudanese protestor’s sign expresses the importance of Sudanese solidarity in the face of Khartoum’s injustices.

The Institute on Religion and Democracy this week joined some 50 human rights advocacy groups and religious freedom organizations writing to President Barack Obama to urge a strengthened United States government policy on Sudan. In a letter dated December 15, 2009, the coalition calls on President Obama to impose immediate consequences on the Government of Sudan for public and ongoing violations of human rights in advance of the 2010 elections, and for the eroding situation on the ground.

A related IRD press release , December 16, 2009, says the new U.S. Sudan policy promised to hold Khartoum accountable for its actions. But a crackdown on protestors and the arrest of two senior opposition leaders on December 7 is only the most recent of NCP’s human rights violations. The Islamist regime is responsible for ongoing genocide in Darfur and for supporting militia groups that have killed over 2,000 people in Southern Sudan in 2009. It has also failed to implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Members of Congress have also expressed their deep concern over Sudan’s lack of stability. On December 15, U.S. Representatives Frank Wolf (R-VA), Donald Payne (D-NJ), and Christopher Smith (R-NJ) were joined by members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in a press conference to draw attention to the desperate situation in Sudan. Mr. Wolf, whose remarks were later presented for insertion into the Congressional record, said, “Khartoum’s actions are inexcusable, but why should we be surprised, given the head of state is an accused war criminal.”  

“If the coming weeks don’t yield the necessary results, the long-suffering people of Sudan will watch any real prospect of lasting peace and justice slip away,” Wolf warned. “Will the U.S. stand by and allow this to happen?” he demanded.

Wolf continued:

For years the U.S. has been a leader on the world stage in advocating for the marginalized people of Sudan.  This is an issue, unlike many in Washington, which has enjoyed broad, bipartisan support. In January 2005, after two and half years of negotiations, the North and the South signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) bringing about an end to the 21-year-old civil war during which nearly two million people died, most of whom were civilians. I was at the signing of the CPA in Kenya along with Congressman Payne.  Hopes were high for a new Sudan.

Sadly those hopes are quickly dimming as President Bashir becomes further entrenched and principled U.S. leadership on Sudan wanes.  On the eve of the five-year anniversary of the signing, the CPA hangs in the balance as does Sudan’s future.

U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) (at the microphone) is a valiant defender of human rights and the persecuted church. Here he is joined at a press conference by other human rights and freedom advocates, U.S. Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).

In addition to efforts by members of Congress and the Commission, and activists for peace and justice in Sudan, representatives of Sudan’s marginalized people groups living in the United States are also raising their voices against Khartoum’s oppression. South Sudanese, Darfurians, Beja, Nubians, as well as Sudanese from the Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile, and elsewhere are all joining in demonstrations at the Sudanese Embassy. They are also planning demonstrations in front of The White House, to express their desire for President Obama to hold Khartoum accountable for its actions.